A look back over last weekend’s finals action in the Under-16 to Under-18 junior competitions.
The Under 18 Girls kicked off round one of the junior finals with Research and Yarrambat facing off at La Trobe University Oval No.2 for a Grand Final spot. The Bats took the lead in the first quarter as they opened with the first goal of the day. The Searchers got on top from that point on though, kicking seven goals for the day to secure a 30-point win. Despite the loss, Larissa Tedford and Grace Daly gave it their best for the Bats. Isabella Turner and Sierra Filippone were standouts from the Searchers with Ally Pilakis kicking four goals. The Searchers head straight to the grand final with the Bats having a second chance in the preliminarily final.
Diamond Creek Women’s and Eltham faced off in the elimination final. The Panthers kept a steady lead, kicking nine goals to the Creekers two to secure a 42-point triumph at Ben Frilay Oval. Jade van Hoeckel and Tiah Bishop led the Panthers to their win, which advances them into the preliminary final to face Yarrambat. Abbey Eddington and Abigail Datko gave it their best for the Creekers with Jayda Cooney kicking both of their goals.
Montmorency and South Morang got the Under 17.5 Boys underway with their elimination final. The Magpies maintained only a small lead in the first half, only being ahead by one point at half time. After kicking three goals in the third quarter the Magpies created a reasonable lead and kicked another three goals in the last quarter to seal the 13-point win. Chase Pell and Cooper Butler gave it their all for the Lions while Isaac Mullins and Bailey Smith led the Magpies. Montmorency now advance into the preliminary final.
Yarrambat finished on top of the ladder at the end of the season with Diamond Creek not far behind. In Sunday’s Qualifying Final between the two sides it was the Bats who came out on top with a 32-point win, putting them straight into the grand final. The Bats maintained a considerable lead, kicking four goals in the last quarter to seal the win. Archer Harvey kicked six goals for the Bats whilst Diamond Creek duo Jack Morgan and Ethan Hardman kicked seven of the Creekers nine goals.
The Under 16 Girls (1) kicked off with Eltham and Yarrambat’s qualifying final after the Bats finished on top at the end of the season. The Panthers hit the front in the first term, keeping the Bats down to one point at quarter time. The Bats pushed back, kicking six goals in the final three quarters to come away with a 26-point win. Charlotte Morris and Paige Brand gave their best for the Panthers while Deena Gerges and Mischa Stebbing led the Bats. Yarrambat now head straight to the grand final while the Panthers have a second chance in next week’s preliminary final.
Kilmore and Diamond Creek Women’s faced off in their elimination final at Research Park. The Creekers maintained a solid lead and kept the Blues to only three points at half time. The Blues pushed back in the second half kicking three goals, but it wasn’t enough from the Blues as the Creekers came away with an eight-point win and will face off the Panthers next week. Amarni Bentley and Maddison Pike fought their heart out for Kilmore, with Pike kicking two goals. Lily Irvin was the Creekers leading goalkicker on the day with two.
Montmorency and Whittlesea got the Under 16 Girls (2) underway with their qualifying final matchup. The Magpies finished on top of the ladder and came out on top again with a 19-point win at Research Park. Sky Morgan and Zoey Cummings starred for the Magpies on the day while Brooke Suckling kicked three goals. Despite the loss Kiah McKinnon-Rowe and Skyla Robinson gave their best for the Eagles.
South Morang and Darebin met in the elimination final at Redleap Reserve. The Lions kicked six goals to the Falcons one on the day to secure a 34-point triumph and book a preliminary final date with Whittlesea this weekend. Cammryn Warke and Talia Cutajar were both excellent for the Lions who’s leading goalkicker on the day was Faith Raskatos with two goals. Millie Maher capped off an excellent season alongside Ruby Schurman in the loss while Zara Quinn was the Falcons only goalkicker.
The Under 16 Boys (1) kicked off with Yarrambat and Kilmore meeting at Waterview Reserve. The Blues hit the front in the first half as they led only by seven points at half time. Kilmore continued to stay in front until the end of the third quarter. The Bats then kicked five goals in the last term to take away a 15-point win. Jordan Toogood and Lucas Chesswas led the Blues, with Chesswas kicking three goals. Darcy Corr and Noah Watts were standouts from the Bats with Ethan Thornton Williams kicking five goals. The Bats now advance to the preliminary final.
Laurimar and Eltham played out their qualifying final at Waterview Reserve. The pair only played each other the week prior, where the Panthers came away with a four-point win. The Panthers didn’t hold back coming into finals as they maintained a predominant lead and kicked 10 goals in the second half to have a 100-point win over the top side. Nicholas Spooner and Xander Rosales led the Panthers, Spooner kicking an impressive six goals. The Panthers now advance to the grand final while Laurimar will face Yarrambat in the preliminary final.
Hurstbridge and Wallan got the Under 16 Boys (2) underway at JJ Clancy Reserve with their elimination final meeting. The Bridges kept in front all day, but the Magpies didn’t give up despite trailing. The Bridges ultimately came away with a 17-point win to advance into the preliminary final. Mitchell Hayes and Kobi Mason led the Bridges while Zach Thomas kicked four goals for the side.
Mernda and Research played out their qualifying final at JJ Clancy Reserve. It was a tight first quarter ending up in a draw until the Demons kicked four goals in the second quarter to hit the front. Mernda continued their momentum to kick 13 goals for the day and have a 49-point win to head straight into the grand final. Jett Philips and Kobe Wells Meaney led the Demons, Philips kicking four goals. Romeo Palmarini and Lincoln Johnston gave their best for a Searchers outfit who will now face the Bridges in the preliminary final.
